An eighth-grade student at the Bailey School in Bayonne has tested positive for COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, district Superintendent John J. Niesz said in a letter to parents.

The 14-year-old student was in school on March 12th and was not symptomatic, Niesz said. March 12 was the last day students were together inside city school buildings. Students have been using online learning lessons since March 16.

The city Board of Health and/or the Board of Education will contact potential at-risk individuals, the superintendent said.

COVID-19 CASES IN HUDSON

Hudson County recorded another coronavirus fatality, its fifth, state Department of Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said Wednesday at the governor’s daily briefing. The county also reported 21 new cases of the illness, bringing the total to 260 cases, according to the DOH website.

TESTING FOR INMATES UPON RELEASE?

Jersey City Together, a non-partisan coalition of more than 30 faith and non-profit organizations, is urging state officials to test all inmates who are being released from county jails for COVID-19, as part of the state’s containment plan.

The request comes after news that two inmates at Hudson County jail tested positive for the novel coronavirus and cases are now being reported in the Essex, Morris and Bergen county jails.

The state Supreme Court Sunday issued a consent order to release non-violent offenders who are incarcerated for low-level offenses. It is believed that inmates in the confined setting of the jails were more vulnerable to contracting COVID-19.

“This type of proactive testing before the onset of symptoms could prevent the further spread of the infection and set an example for the country about the importance of testing vulnerable, at-risk groups before the onset of symptoms," the Rev. Dr. Alonzo Perry Sr., senior pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, said. "This can and should be implemented for jail and prison staff who have been exposed as well.”

JERSEY CITY STATE OF THE CITY

It appears that Mayor Steve Fulop’s annual address won’t be conducted remotely, or any time soon.

Jersey City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione the mayor "will revisit the the State of the City address once this pandemic dissipates."

Wallace-Scalcione said the city is focusing on “the task at hand, which is the safety and health of our community amid the COVID-19 crisis.”

UNION CITY

Citing the financial hardship created by the coronavirus crisis, the Union City commissioners have introduced an ordinance that would bar landlords from increasing rents until at least two months after the New Jersey state of emergency is lifted.

Under the proposed ordinance, which could be approved at next month’s commissioners’ meeting, the moratorium on rent increases would be retroactive to March 1.